Cosmic Journal #015

wakening into spring

A welling spring within the earth
so thought o’erflows the spirit’s birth
catching rays of yonder cosmic sun
from senses’ semblance, truth is spun;
if thou wouldst resolve, from depths of heart
in this world’s unfolding, to take part 
then pour the stream of sense and sight
into the shimm’ring font of thinking’s light
and wed thy will with world-becoming
From Rudolf Steiner’s The Calendar of the Soul, 

• Week Forty Five, translated by Max Leyf

Good morning friends, today is Tuesday, February 20th and it is 9am Eastern Standard Time here in North America.  It seems like just yesterday we were in the depths of winter and in this journal edition we will continue to explore the Lunar movement and astral intersections happening over the last days of February and the start of March 2024.  

As described by the late Hugh Lovel in Quantum Agriculture, “Biodynamics acknowledges (that) Life on Earth exists within the context of cosmological events - the kaleidoscopic relationships of Sun, Moon, and planets in front of the constellations of the Zodiac.” 

Using a Biodynamic Calendar as our guide, we can tune into the constellations and Sidereal Zodiac while connecting with the current astral “observations and ephemerides” which have direct influences on plants (pg 57).  

Looking at our calendar for today, we can see that the Sun is in Aquarius and the Moon recently entered Gemini on Sunday and it also reached its highest point in its cycle at 4am on Monday, yesterday.  Since the lunar ascending process is complete, the Moon is now descending in its position in relation to the horizon over the next 2 weeks.  

Lovel explains, “the effects are similar to seasonal rhythms… (the) ascending lunar period is like Spring and Summer when the Earth breaths outward in growth” and, in balance, “a descending Moon is like Autumn and Winter when the Earth breathes its growth forces in” affecting root growth & soil life (pg 60).  

With the intention of supporting healthy plants and the living foundation of our farms and gardens, the next two weeks are a great time to Transplant and respectfully cultivate the Earth preparing for the season ahead.  The Moon remains in Gemini (representing Air and Light) until 4am tomorrow, bringing our focus and care today onto flowering crops.

On Wednesday, February 21st and Thursday, February 22nd, the Moon is in the Water sign of Cancer and we can bring attention to our leaf crops.  Care and tend to your overwintered plants and transplant out your hardy Sping greens.  Take time to connect to the complete life body of your farm or garden tuning into the harmony, chaos and moments of stillness that create the symphony of life we are a part of.

All this weekend on Friday, February 23rd, Saturday the 24th and Sunday 25th the Moon is in the Fire sign of Leo blessing us with an opportunity to prune and care for our fruit trees, shrubs and perennial vines.  We might also sow tomatoes, eggplants, and peppers in greenhouses bringing in the ether of warmth to our gardens as we work each day to support the maturity, development and evolution of everything around us.  

On Saturday the 24th we experience the Full Moon at 7am which generally increases the moisture content of the Earth.  Your farm might experience enhanced leafy growth forces, rain and possible visible increase of slugs, snails and other insects.  Pay attention and take notes on your observations.   

Looking one step deeper into our calendars, there is a note that there is  another planentary event happening on Saturday.  We can see that the Moon will be opposition to Saturn (Currently in Aquarius) at 3pm.  During my recent review of Quantum Agriculture I was reminded of the power of this relationship which occurs once per month.   

It’s explained, “Moon forces bring in the lime processes connected to propagation and growth, while Saturn forces bring in silica processes connected to crystalizing form and establishing structure” (p 63).  This balanced opposition creates an ideal time to transplant and sow.  

“Spraying with Horn Silica (BD 501) at Moon opposition Saturn tends to strengthen plants’ resistance to diseases and insects” and adding an “Equisetum decoction (BD 508) may also be helpful” as an aid against fungus, mildew and other issues.  Whether or not you choose to offer BD 501 Horn Silica early on Saturday morning, how else can we become more attuned to the harmony of these forces? 

This weekend, meditate on the the balance in this opposition and feel the Warmth that the constellation of Leo brings to us.  With the illumination of the Full Moon and Saturn’s role as the “gateway to warmth,” allow yourself to experience all that is happening this weekend and surrender to the influence it has on your life.   

Finishing out the weekend on Sunday the 25th, the Moon reaches Apogee at 10am and will be at its farthest point away from Earth in its cycle. Then at 9pm the Moon moves into Virgo, bringing us back into a phase of resurrection.   

The next four days from Monday, February 26th to Febraury 29th, the Moon remains in the Earth sign of Virgo and this is a great time for soil cultivation.  The Moon continues to descend and is now waning, creating ideal conditions to turn over beds, transplant and sow root crops. 

On Tuesday the 27th the Lunar Descending Node occurs at 6pm and we refrain from work in the afternoon.  Besides Tuesday, any afternoon this week while the Moon is in Virgo is an opportunity to offer your land BD500 Horn Manure, the Pfeiffer Field Spray or Barrel Compost.  

At 5pm on Thursday, February 29th the Moon transitions into the constellation of Libra which represents Air and Light.  

On Friday, March 1st after a couple long days of soil work in Virgo, we can welcome back the Light of Libra to our farms with an early morning offering of BD501 Horn Silica which supports photosynthesis, blossoming, cell organization and the Spiritual ripening of plants.  For notes on when to spray specific preps, check out JPIs recent article from January 26th as well as the resources available on our main website.  

At 4am on Saturday, March 2nd the Moon transitions into the Water sign of Scorpio and we bring our focus back onto tone of the farm.  Today and tomorrow, Sunday, March 3rd we can also tend and care to leafy crops as well as continue to transplant out seedlings.  

On Monday, March 4th the Moon returns back into the Fire sign of Sagittarius at 2pm and at 9pm it will reach the lowest point in its cycle.  Today is the last day of the Transplanting Time and we can allow ourselves to experience the completion, a point of bottoming out, of this cycle. Connect and reflect on this rhythmic flow by using a Biodynamic calendar and join us in our next Journal as we dive deeper into the month of March.  

UPCOMING: On Wednesday, March 13th, be sure to join us virtually for the Spiritual Foundations for the Renewal of Agriculture: Life Based on Love, an event hosted by the Spikenard Honeybee Sanctuary and the Josephine Porter Institute.  This is a free monthly offering (running through December) celebrating the last 100 years of biodynamic practice and wisdom.  

This 11 month series and our work here is inspired by the 1924 Agricultural lectures by Rudolf Steiner which continues to serve as an inspiration for us as Biodynamic farmers, land stewards and Earth inhabitants. 

Mnay Blessings - Russell 

Two unique calendar versions are available at JPI – the Celestial Planting Calendar and the Stella Natura Biodynamic Calendar - both are great resources and will help further your personal understanding of the information outlined above in this article.